Banned for thinking lazy foreigners bastardised the English language.... yeah the origins may have come from various places but it was the scholars at Oxford and Cambridge universities who collated and purified the English language as we now know it.
Truth is, the English language has been bastardised by the use of various dialects within the UK, so Americans are not the only ones the make alterations over the years.
Ironically I prefer the 'u' in certain words. Like armour looks cooler than armor.
I grew up with it being that way and I naturally use the language as I was taught. Occasionally I will use some Americanisms where they fit.... and sometimes I will use program rather than the English spelling of programme.